PLANT REGULATORY OFFICER I (Guthrie Agricultural Center, Guthrie, WV)

Job Title: Plant Regulatory Officer I

Division: Plant Industries

Headquarters:  Guthrie Agricultural Center, Charleston, WV

Reports To:  Program Coordinator 

Supervisory

Responsibility: None

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Nature of Work:

Responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Industrial Hemp Development Act, the West Virginia Plant Pest Act, and associated quarantines; possibly enforcing United States Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection and Quarantine regulations. This position will inspect and certify plant material and timber products for interstate and international shipments.

Examples of Work:

• Surveys nurseries and nursery dealers throughout the state to check for the presence of plant pests.
• Solicits the registration of nurseries and nursery dealers.
• Performs inspections and prepares state and federal phytosanitary certificates for interstate and international export certification of plants and timber products.
• Assists with the preparation and distribution of the West Virginia Directory of Certified Nurseries and Nursery Dealers.
• Enforces quarantines established on various plant pests and executes embargoes on nursery stock not in compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Inspects nursery stock, transported into the state for distribution, for possible infestation of plant pests.
• Acts as a consultant to the public, as needed, on plant pests, pesticide usage and related matters.
• Assists with inspections for plants under federal post-entry quarantine.
• Represents the Department at meetings of the West Virginia Nurserymen’s Association, West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, the Eastern Chapter of the Horticultural Inspection Society, and other Program-related meetings, as assigned.
• Contributes articles and news releases on program related matters for dissemination, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Sitting; standing; walking; driving; using a computer; communicating orally (including public speaking) and in writing; outdoors work; traversing rough terrain and exposure to inclement weather.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of state government organization, programs, and functions.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local government relationships as they relate to the mission and operations of the Program.
• Knowledge of proper investigative techniques and procedures.
• Skilled in the use of multiple computer applications including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government officials, employees, and the public.
• Ability to present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to comprehend and apply complex laws and regulations in diverse situations.
• Ability to make public presentations to industry, schools, professional, and community meetings.
• Ability to reason and analyze complex situations.
• Ability to organize, file, and maintain a good record keeping system.
• Ability to pay close attention to surroundings to detect possible violations of the laws and regulations.
• Ability to educate and convey complex issues; fill out complex forms and enter into a computer system.
• Ability to travel and work hours other than normal, as needed, to accomplish Program, Unit, Division, or Department assignments.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, horticulture, plant pathology, entomology, or a related field.